Snowy Owl Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The beautiful Snowy Owl nests in the Arctic tundra of the northernmost stretches of Alaska, Canada, and Eurasia. Most winter south through Canada and northern Eurasia, with a presence occurring further south in some years.

Most of the birds like open areas like coastal dunes and prairies that appear somewhat similar to tundra. The animals have been reported as far south as the American states of Texas, Georgia, the American Gulf states, southernmost Russia, and northern China.

The owl is a powerful animal for its size. It primarily preys on lemmings and other small rodents for food during the breeding season. However, at times of low prey density, or during the nesting period, it may switch to favoring juvenile ptarmigan.

The birds are opportunistic hunters and prey species may vary considerably, especially in winter. It feeds on a wide variety of small mammals such as meadow voles and deer mice.

The Snowy Owl will take advantage of larger prey as well. Some of the larger mammal prey includes hares, muskrats, marmots, squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, prairie dogs, rats, moles, and smaller birds.

The owl will also take fish from the surface of lakes. Each bird must capture roughly 7 -12 mice per day to meet its food requirement and can eat more than 1,600 lemmings per year. Like many other birds, the Snowy Owl swallows its prey whole.